The Blue Bakha
Posted on October 28 2020
The BLEU BAKHA bazin at the heart
Malian wedding ceremonies
The blue bazin is an integral part and is essential to the smooth running of the process of traditional Malian weddings, we will explain to you step by step the course of a wedding in Mali in the greatest respect for traditions starting with the marriage proposal.
In Mali, when a young man falls in love with a young woman, he sends a griot (an African singer and poet) to the family of his beloved. This griot, who acts as a messenger, conveys the young man's intentions to the family, offering kola nuts and a sum of money (approximately 500 CFA francs).
In most cultures, marriage proposals are made to the bride's father, but not in Mali. Therefore, the griot approaches the bride's brothers, cousins, or friends. Once the young man's intentions have been shared with his chosen woman's family, the griot, if the response is positive, gives money and kola nuts to the bride's father. If the response is negative, the griot returns to the young man, delivering the bad news and returning his money and nuts.
To finalize and formalize the decision, the groom sends baskets of kola nuts to the bride's father. It is at this point that the dowry is determined. In most cases, the dowry consists of baskets of kola nuts and a sum of money, which varies in size. Then, the date of the ceremony is set.
We now arrive at the wedding day. On this day, the rituals and rites of passage between single life and married life differ for the two lovers. The first step in the wedding is ablution. In most cases, this ceremony is reserved for women. It is a purification that allows them to transition from single life to the life of a young bride, serene and cleansed of all "sin." Indeed, this purification aims to "wash away the sins of childhood" so that she is pure for married life. The brides-to-be generally perform this practice in the evening at dusk. It is at this time that the blue bazin makes its appearance.
Indeed, the bride-to-be is dressed in a large boubou of blue (or white in some cases) bazin fabric and a hand-sewn black cloth covering her head. Before being "washed" with a sponge and soap, both brand new specifically for the occasion to ensure optimal purification, she is led outside among the crowd while traditional songs are sung. Once a stool is set up, the women in charge of the purification will help her sit and stand up several times before she is finally seated for the purification ceremony.
The purification can begin; the women start with the feet, then the hands, and finally the face.
Once the purification is complete, the griots sing the praises and wishes of happiness prepared by the young woman's parents and friends.
After the ceremony, she will rejoin her husband in the bridal chamber and will be forbidden to leave during the seven days of the wedding.
In some cities in Mali, particularly in the north of the country, this purification practice is reserved for men. They will be dressed in a large white boubou, and their parents will perform the purification rite in the afternoon.
This purification ceremony is called "Kounkoli" by some, and "Senkoli" by others.
Blue and white bazin fabrics are key and indispensable pieces, for both men and women, during a wedding ceremony in Mali.